Friday, June 12, 2015 7:36:11 AM America/Los_Angeles

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Wednesday, December 10, 2014 6:31:17 PM America/Los_Angeles

LETTERS FROM MIR: A TORAH WORLD IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHOAH NEWLY PUBLISHED BY OU PRESS

Experience first-hand the daily life of a lost world.

Rabbi Ernest Gugenheim was a young French rabbi who traveled to Lithuania in 1938 to study in the premier Mir yeshiva. Letters from Mir is comprised of the letters Rabbi Gugenheim wrote home describing his experiences, opening a window on a world that was soon to be destroyed. Rabbi Gugenheim’s sharp eye and charming descriptions make this an unforgettable memoir of a poignant moment in history.

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Tuesday, May 6, 2014 11:22:18 PM America/Los_Angeles

Today, I’d like to share with you this interview with Tzvia Ehrlich-Klein, the author of the upcoming picture bookI Live With My Mommy. This new, groundbreaking picture book for the first time focuses on growing up in a single-parent, Orthodox Jewish home. I learned about the book through its illustrator, the giftedDena Ackerman, and upon my request, she hooked me up with Tzvia for a bit of Q & A via email.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 1:55:37 AM America/Los_Angeles

Tamar of Venice and Moshe of Japan are the first two books of the Young Lamplighter series which describe the experiences of Jewish children living abroad in exotic cities and the influences they have on the Jewish population there. Written from the perspective of the emissary children, the books expose young readers to other cultures and enlighten them with other ways of life.

A recent review in The Jewish Connection explains that the books "focus on the mesiras nefesh of the children":

"The stories are told by the children who see themselves (correctly) as integral partners with their parents in helping to spread the Yiddishkeit to Jews in regions where the light of Torah might seem most dim and hopeless."

Aside from their loyalty and contributions to the Jewish nation, these children are, afterall, still children. They go to school like any other kids...with a few minor (ok, major) differences:

"School for Moshe begins not in the morning, but in the afternoon at 4 P.M. , when he opens his computer for his online school...she [Tamar] travels to her Jewish school each morning on a gondola..."

Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:48:45 AM America/Los_Angeles

"For a psychiatrist to question a patient about her parents and her past to gain insight into her anger or alcoholism is commonplace. But when the psychiatrist is a chasidic rabbi, the scion of a rabbinic dynasty, and the patient is a nun, the scene is more striking."

And so begins a most interesting review of The Rabbi and the Nuns in the NY Jewish Week. Rabbi Abraham Twerski explains that, although he had already written over 60 books, he had never covered the chapter of his life where he served as Director of Psychiatry at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh, and - “It was too good an experience to let go."

Readers learns of Rabbi Twerski's unique relationship he had to his Catholic patients - "He shared a friendship with the bishop...When the cardinal would visit, he always ended their meetings with, 'Bless me, rabbi.' In fact, many nuns and priests would ask for his blessing."

Through his pen, his audience is enlightened not only by interesting stories, but also his ability to engage and understand individuals:

"As a writer, Rabbi Twerski’s style is straightforward and engaging, expressing profound ideas simply. He has a genuine confidence in individuals’ resiliency and ability to turn their lives around, recognizing that some need more help."

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Monday, January 27, 2014 2:50:44 AM America/Los_Angeles

There's nothing like an engaging novel with a happy ending and a nice message. Broken Mirrors by Peri Berger is the fictional tale of shattered lives being pulled together through determination, love, and hope. Readers are exposed to the endearing characters' inner struggles and thoughts, and may simultaneously find themselves 'looking in the mirror' at their own reflections.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014 3:18:38 AM America/Los_Angeles

Like Seeds of a Pomegranate is a unique collection of Rabbi Yisroel Besser's interactions with religious Jews on all ends of the spectrum. Determined to remind ourselves of the special People that we are, Rabbi Besser set out on a journey across the world meeting roshei yeshiva, fishermen, Israeli prisoners, renowned musicians, and so on. The result is a book of stories overflowing with acts of kindness, love of Torah, and sanctification of God's name.

We were intrigued by Rabbi Besser's accounts and curious to hear more about his experiences and thoughts while writing this book.

Why did you decide to write this book?

I felt that there is a certain imbalance on the websites and blogs, where much attention is given to those observant Jews that break the law or display poor judgment in their personal conduct, but there is no voice that broadcasts the opposite. There is a steady diet of amazing stories, stories that underscore what makes us good, and way too much of the other type. A person is influenced by what he reads, and even within our own communities, people were buying into a lot of what they’re reading online. I felt it important that the other side of the story be told as well- we’re a good People.

What are the top lessons you learned in researching, meeting and learning about important Jewish personalities?

The key to any article, but especially those involving leaders, is to make sure to retain their trust. Trust is paramount of these people and it’s crucial that they can be confident that you will not take them out of context or misquote them. We live in an era of sound-bites, and it’s a challenge to come away with real, substantial messages.

Who surprised you the most?

Sholom Rubashkin. It’s beyond how he continues to radiate emunah and simchas hachaim in circumstances such as he finds himself. I cynically believed that it wasn't for real, that he was in denial - but having met him several times, I can say that this man, who spends much of his time in a tiny 6x6 cell and is cut off from family, friends and company, who has little by way of food or worldly pleasures, is truly serene.

Which Jewish figure of the past 200 years would you liked to have met? Why?

Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld. Though it’s probably a strange answer, since he only passed away 23 years ago, I feel cheated that I didn't meet him. Having authored a biography on him, I feel like I 'know' him, but deep down I wonder if the book gives over the right sense of the person – I’d love to meet him and ask him so many questions.

Sometimes it seems that today we read about “gedolim” and they can appear as super power figures who are so far beyond us because they seem so perfect. What do you think of this phenomenon? Did this influence your writing of the book?

Not at all. Anyone who has been fortunate to meet real gedolim sees their human side first; real gedolim shine in that respect. They may have accomplished much, but every human being is still struggling in some areas - otherwise they wouldn't be here, their job would be done. Their attraction, in most cases, is because they 'get it,' the challenges facing ordinary people, those far from their levels.

Sunday, January 19, 2014 2:13:43 AM America/Los_Angeles

The concept of What's Beyond the Bible Text? is very clear-cut. As a recent review in Jewish Joy Reading put it - "To ask questions and probe for deeper understanding of familiar information." But the discussions and questions brought up are far from simple. The book is written by academic scholars, Stanley M. Wagner and Israel Drazin, and explores a wealth of contemporary issues while cross-referencing the entire Torah. A wide range of themes are presented, ranging from legal, moral, and ethical issues - including marriage, animal rights, the afterlife, the meaning of life...and more.

"This book is a professional text. It is well researched and put together in a clear fashion...For the right crowd, this can be an unbelievable tool to start Torah discussion at the Shabbos table or the classroom."

Sunday, January 12, 2014 2:40:03 AM America/Los_Angeles

A Fortunate Find, by popular children's author Rivkah Small, is the second book in the Double Trouble Mystery Series. When three young boys try to unravel the mystery regarding tampered messages in fortune cookies at the local kosher Chinese restaurant, readers are left with some surprising and even dangerous discoveries!

Jewish Joy Reading finds the plot of the "adorable, mystery chapter book" to be all-encompassing and engaging to young readers of various ages:

"I liked the plot a lot. The fact that the mystery was somewhat Torah-based, but not really and that there was good ethic in it as well. There are also some funny lines that seem to have gotten in there for the inevitable more mature reader."

The story's main characters are boys, so while the book may inherently be a bit more boy-oriented, it is "intelligent literature" that is appropriate for "any newer reader that is starting on chapter books."